Poor People, Don’t You Know You Have Jobs?

As people struggle to find third-parties to blame for Hillary Clinton’s defeat (pick one or more: Putin, Bernie Bros, Comey, The Media, Electoral Collegians, the Racist/Misogynist Hordes), an amorphous group has emerged as a popular domestic target: stupid poor white people who do not understand how much better they have had it over the last eight years.

These slack-jawed yokels just can’t seem to grasp that they have great jobs in a growing economy. The numbers prove it: the U.S stock market is at record highs and unemployment at its lowest level since the Great Recession.

“Anyone claiming America’s economy is in decline is peddling fiction,” Obama said in his 2016 State of the Union address. He said his team has created a “more durable, growing economy” with “15 million new private-sector jobs since early 2010.” Tim Kaine also used the 15 million jobs talking point in the vice presidential debate.

But the problem isn’t jobs per se, it is income inequality.

This is the basis of the sense of economic disenfranchisement that drove many voters to seek change this past election, even if after seeing Sanders pushed out of the race that change meant overlooking Candidate Trump’s many shortcomings.

A big part of this inequality is while more Americans are working, more are working part time without benefits. Since 2007, the number of Americans involuntarily working part time has increased by nearly 45 percent.

Coupled with that is what many of those workers see as the failure of the Affordable Care Act (ACA; Obamacare) to live up to its promises. ACA was supposed to be the government supplying a key benefit employers refused to offer to part-timers. People may indeed now have access to insurance, but with high deductibles, they may not have access to healthcare. These are not people with ideological problems with Obamacare. They need help for their families and want the ACA changed.

In addition, because larger employers have to start paying into the ACA fund for each employee who works more than 29 hours a week, employers who offer the most jobs, retail, hospitality, and fast food, have cut most part-timers to 29 hours a week, down from the once-standard 39 hours a week that kept them outside of overtime.

Wages saw their biggest jump this year since 2008 — 2.9%. However, most of that increase came only in states that chose to raise their minimum wages independent of the stagnant federal minimum wage. And with inflation running about 2%, most of any increase was washed away. And what is .9% of minimum wage anyway? Pretty close to not a helluva lot.

Higher costs and less money. And of course for part-timers, vacation days, sick leave, pensions, child care, and other benefits remain elusive at best. The result is a workforce making up the gaps with multiple jobs, food benefits, and opioids. And they voted against the candidate that made a talking point out of saying she would maintain the status quo that was killing them.

Trump, of course, is unlikely to change much, but he represents change and that apparently was enough for a very large number of voters who still believe government may yet help them.

Their inevitable disappointment is likely to lead one of two ways: a complete giving up, a sad resignation they should be happy they get anything at all, or a rage that will seek out a true demagogue.

For despite all of the apocalyptic prose spewing out of cranky Clinton supporters and all the newly-minted, New York-based, Midwestern blue collar experts, Trump is not the antiChrist of American politics. He is a minor celebrity who stumbled into a stream of history, a classic case of being in the right place at the right time.

But keep an eye out in eight years for the next guy. That’s the one to fear.

BONUS: Here’s another opinion on all this, titled “It was the racism, stupid: White working-class ‘economic anxiety’ is a zombie idea that needs to die.”

And if Dems, progressives, liberals, whoever, keeps insisting poor whites are racist-sexists who voted for Trump primarily because he encourages their hate vibe, then the next Democratic candidate will lose their votes again. Given the drift of the economy, there will be more of them next time, too. This election was a pay-attention-notice to the Democratic party, and it is so far not just ignoring it, it is saying the whole notion is wrong.

Recent Comments

First…… As a business person…. For the last, almost 9 years….. Business has been a Bitch.
The only business type that I have personally seen doing well…. Is gun and ammo shops..

Despite what the “administration” says…..

Further…. The ACA, (nothing affordable about it)…. Made it A LOT harder…..struggling does not even come close….. I have seen so many businesses just die because of it directly….. And many more indirectly.

And I know many will disagree….but…. Since the election….business is really trying to come off life support…. Coincidence…. Maybe…. But it does not look like it….. It does in fact look like “hope”.

And I know…. Again, some will disagree…… But business is what drives a nation and economy.
And when business is good…. Wars and the possibility of war…. Goes down.

Question for you….. I know you don’t like Trump….. My jury is still out…. But……
Will it change any thinking if he pardons Assange????

“Anyone claiming America’s economy is in decline is peddling fiction,” Obama said in his 2016 State of the Union address.

Well dust my britches. I guess I should feel lucky the P’sTB only dropped my SNAP another $39 this month after lowering it $32 last month. Lucky us. I guess I should be thankful the economy is so robust. After all… at least we get $29 per week to feed both of us now. Hooray. Hell..if this economy gets any better, we might just have to splurge, and add pork and beans on Sunday’s to our routine of biscuits and karo syrup. Just like my dad ate..every day for 6 yrs. Wunnerful. I should invite Obama to dinner.

Pitchfork is currently away from his email, please leave your message at his and Bauer’s racist, bullshit messaging system.

Guess they thought I was supposed to be licking chicken grease off my fingers (of course wiping my fingers on my pants) and looking for my 40 oz’er and my fucking watermelon , while checkin out my neighbors new BITCh….. Thinkins how good its a gonna feel when she has mys next little bastard in hers……..

while I plot my next move to overthrow a DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED president

Ya see….. All us black folk, we is dumbshits that only wants ours foodstamps, free cell phones, (let’s nots forgets ‘cash for clunkers’ )….. We’s is supposed to be fuck’en…. Makin babies… Cheat’en on our BITCHes and do’in crimes….(especially MURDERS…. We likes that one…..especially in MICHAGAN’s…. AndShitago.)……
and…. Um’course…. Alwa’s um votin for them Democraps… That believes that peoples like me…. Need a fuckin boost…. And of course…PATRONAGE…(can’t forget that….all you white folk owe me….. SHIT!!!!…..

I am where I am…. Because of HARD FUCKING WORK….rather than blame everyone…. For everything….working toward SOLUTIONS…… Rather than bitch, whine, and complain…..and…. Of course….. UNDERMINE a man…..(hmmmmmm….. There’s a lesson for someone there). And any good…. He may or May not do….. Before he even takes office.

.. Cause of shit that happens a few hundreds years ago….

Rather than….

Being the being an extremly poor… Rasied in SHIT environments (like you can not IMAGINE!!!)……made REALLY good…. CEO”s of corporations….. With approaching … Now…. 4,000 employee’s.

Racist sonsofbitches. …….

Who have ZERO respect for individuals….. Who take an OATH….. If necessary…… To DIE….. For people…. That if they ever met them….. They would despise…..

Racists……. See it…. Recognize it….. Never will understand them….

But….. I’m guessing that We are ALL supposed to be fucking stupid….and…. Of course…. Vote Obama and Hillary.

Hey Mitch.. c’mann over for dinner next month. Give your email to Peter. I’ll respond. Our menu is peanut butter and karo syrup sandwiches and some cold water for beverage. If you can handle that.. well we’ll have a good time.

Mitch.. you are a fucking moron. You don’t have a fucking clue. But let me GIVE YOU ONE. If you have the fucking balls, come on up to Baldwin Michigan, and let me show you how people like me treat human beings. COMPRENDE asshole! Other wise.. fuck off.

Meanwhile, I’m sorry you missed dinner tonight with the neighbor of my stepdaughter, namely..Ms. Barry, her daughter, and mother, whom we invited over for dinner and a night of friendship and sharing and playing cards.,, who are ..ahem… how should I put this.. Americans of color.

Mit.. give it up. Your agenda isn’t working here. On the other hand, if you really want to prove a peace between us, give me a holla through Peter. I’d love to have you visit for dinner.. although, it may not be what you are used to. Or ..vice versa. Unfortunately, I don’t have the resources to go to Texas. But know this. I don’t give a flying fuck if you are green, blue, red, black, transparent or whatever. Comprende? All I care about is you don’t want to argue at the dinner table. Ok? k.

• Santiago had purchased two handguns — a 9 mm Glock and a Glock .40-caliber — in the past, according to a law enforcement source with knowledge of the investigation. It is unknown whether either of these pistols were used in Friday’s attack.

• Santiago’s criminal record in Alaska includes three minor charges, such as having no proof of insurance in 2015 and a tail light violation in 2015.

• He served in the Puerto Rico National Guard and the Alaska Army National Guard.

• He joined the Puerto Rico National Guard on Dec. 14, 2007, said Lt. Col. Candis Olmstead of the Alaska Army National Guard.

• Santiago was deployed to Iraq with the Puerto Rico National Guard from April 23, 2010, to February, 19, 2011, said Olmstead.

Headlines (State TV U.S.) Putin Meddled with Election and Hillary………………………….. Real Headline should be “DNC, Wasserman, Podesta, Brazille, Indited for Meddling and fixing Democratic Primary for Clinton” ! This Just In…Barbara Starr will get a State Dept. Pension, and Pension from Israel and CNN.

Remember…U.S. Vets. are never bad. Imagine these two headlines. 5 killed at Florida Airport vs 5 Killed buy U.S. Vet. at airport. Next up… Mental Health not a right in America for Vets..Freedom isn’t free, etc.

Will activist’s at Freedom Plaza on Penn Ave. be scrambled or listened to, or shut down by the Ruskies,or, oh my god, others Jan. 20?!!! Who will have snipers there? God Bless (Atheists exclude). Wage Peace. We are the people. Have a nice day

The issue isn’t allowing guns in checked baggage. Any terrorist- that’s what he is- could walk into the arrival or departures area with an assault weapon in his luggage and kill as many people as he wanted. Forget the idea to use the terrorist watchlist in weeding out those who shouldn’t be allowed to have guns, because the FBI stats reveal the program is a total waste. But when someone reports himself to the FBI that he hears voices to watch ISIS videos and he wasn’t flagged and that person has two guns and he is allowed to fly with guns in his checked luggage, then let’s just get rid of all these worthless lookout programs because it gives US a false sense of security.

For the last several years… It has been all about color…to the point of “only white people commit hate crimes”.

Such bullshit…… These….. Creatures….. This is a hate crime…. Pure and simple…..

And it is about time…. Race stopped mattering….. And actions started mattering.

Amazing how much can change in just a few weeks…

And this….is exactly what I have been watching…. And Why I’m willing to give Trump a chance….. Because the rules are changing…..

They are applying rules… Common sense…etc….

Instead of race..

Which is desperately needed.

Think of it this way……. Did you really win the race….. If…. They let you win……

And gave you a 20 lap head start?

Answer is NO !!!!!

All that was done….. Was insult the crap out of me!!!!!

Again…. Thank you for hearing me.

M

In a social media post, TV personality Montel Williams slammed the suspects accused of beating a mentally disabled man and streaming in live on Facebook.

Williamstook to Facebookon Thursday to express his opinions on the brutal attack.

Life in prison. No parole. I’m not interested in whether these kids had a tough life, whether their parents loved them enough, I don’t care, Williams said.

The TV personality called the argument of whether it was indeed a hate crime a distraction.

This is the cold blooded torture of an innocent human being. That’s bigger than a hate crime, it’s bigger than racism, Williams added.

Williams offered his prayers to the victim, adding, If you can do this to another human being once, you can’t be trusted to not do it again.

The four suspects accused in the Chicago Facebook Live attack were denied bail on Friday. The Chicago judge they appeared before in court said they are accused of such “terrible actions.”

The four suspects were identified as Brittany Covington and Tesfaye Cooper, both of Chicago, and Jordan Hill, of suburban Carpentersville. All are 18. A fourth suspect was identified as Covington’s 24-year-old sister, Tanishia Covington, also of Chicago.

The beating was captured on cellphone video by one of the assailants and has since been viewed millions of times on social media. The graphic footage shows the suspects taunting the victim with profanities against white people and President-elect Donald Trump.

Prosecutors offered new details of the assault, explaining that one of the suspects demanded $300 from the mother of the victim, who is schizophrenic and has attention-deficit disorder. They also said the beating started in a van when the same attacker became angry that the mother had contacted him asking that her son be allowed to come home.

A prosecutor told the judge that the suspects forced the victim to drink toilet water, kiss the floor and then allegedly stuffed a sock into his mouth and taped it shut as they bound his hands with a belt.

“I find each of you a danger to yourself and society,” the judge said.

All four are charged with two counts of committing a hate crime one because of the victim’s race and the other because of his mental disabilities.

The uproar over the beating intensified the glare on Chicago after a bloody year of violent crime and protests against Mayor Rahm Emanuel and a police department that has been accused of using excessive force and hushing-up wrongdoing. The department has also been the subject of a long civil-rights investigation by the Justice Department, which is expected to report its findings soon.

He bought the guns some time ago SO the psych eval would not stop him from killing people in many venues. BUT the FBI should have alerted TSA the psychotic guy should not be allowed to fly with guns PERIOD.

Yes, indeed. Obamacare has now been branded as Trumpcare and turned over like a hot potato to the new POTUS. That action fits a guy like Obama who in my opinion is a weakling male who only wanted to be POTUS as a personal quest for historical glory. Kudos to him for becoming the first half white POTUS but such an accomplishment is irrelevant in the course of history.